The ASEAN Cities Leadership Conference, themed “Advancing the future through smart, sustainable and connected cities”, opened in Hanoi on June 8 as part of the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, which runs from June 8 to June 10.
The event was jointly organised by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hanoi People's Committee, bringing together leaders and representatives from cities across the region.
Hanoi places people at the centre of development
Opening the conference, Hanoi People's Committee Chairman Vu Dai Thang described the gathering as a platform for cities to exchange experiences, share innovative ideas and develop new forms of cooperation to address common challenges while capitalising on opportunities created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital era.
Hanoi City People's Committee Chairman Vu Dai Thang speaks at the conference.
According to Thang, Hanoi is accelerating the development of digital government, a digital economy and a digital society, while applying technology to improve urban governance, deliver more efficient public services and create a better environment for residents and businesses.
“Hanoi always places people at the centre of urban development policies, as the key stakeholders and ultimate beneficiaries. This is also a principle shared and pursued by cities across ASEAN,” Thang said.
Expressing confidence that ASEAN’s future would be built in its cities, where resources, knowledge, technology and aspirations for innovation converge, he stressed that stronger urban connectivity, governance cooperation, economic and trade partnerships, investment, innovation and people-to-people exchanges would be crucial to strengthening the region as a whole.
Thang said Hanoi remains committed to being a reliable partner and responsible participant in ASEAN cooperation mechanisms, with the aim of helping build an increasingly connected, innovative and sustainable network of ASEAN cities that contributes to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Building a resilient and people-centred ASEAN Community
Welcoming the initiative by Hanoi and Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to host the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc said the ASEAN Future Forum reflects efforts to ensure broad, inclusive and sustainable participation from all sectors in the development of the ASEAN Community.
Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc speaks at the conference.
Drawing on Vietnam’s urban development experience, Tuc said digital transformation, green growth and regional connectivity should not be viewed as separate objectives but as mutually reinforcing pillars that improve living standards and strengthen resilience against future challenges.
He expressed confidence that ASEAN cities would continue enhancing connectivity, sharing experiences and creating new growth drivers through a spirit of cooperation and shared responsibility.
“These efforts will make a practical contribution to building a resilient, sustainable and people-centred ASEAN Community. That spirit should spread even more strongly, beginning in Hanoi today,” he said.
Representatives of ASEAN cities attend the conference (Photo: Contributor).
Speaking at the conference, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said a smart city is not defined solely by advanced technology but by a development model that puts people first.
According to him, technology and innovation should serve as tools to address urban challenges such as traffic congestion, environmental pollution, social inequality and the impacts of climate change, while promoting sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development.
Kao noted that smart and sustainable urban development is one of the priorities outlined in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
To achieve this goal, he said ASEAN should strengthen cooperation in three key areas: expanding multi-level cooperation mechanisms and digital connectivity between urban and rural areas; integrating climate resilience into all urban development projects while promoting green infrastructure and nature-based solutions; and respecting local differences by developing solutions tailored to specific conditions to ensure effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
